1:35 CATS & DOGS

The real subject

Animals do a diorama a service that nothing else can. A cat on a wall or a dog at a soldier's feet gives a scene scale, movement and a reason why the figures are looking exactly where they are looking. In a village, in a yard or in a wrecked street, animals are what gives a scene its everyday quality, so that the tableau does not look as though it were cut out of war alone.

What the set contains

Figures of cats and dogs in 1:35 scale, in plastic on sprues. They really are tiny: a cat at this scale measures a little over a centimeter, a dog around two centimeters depending on the breed. The package does not contain a base, groundwork or human figures.

Building and painting tips

Cut the parts from the sprue with a sharp blade and over a tray, so a tiny leg does not disappear into the carpet. Clean the mold seams up with a fine file or the tip of a scalpel; they are thin and easily sanded through. Paint from the base tone of the fur toward the details: lay the base down over the whole area, deepen the shadows with a glaze and suggest the texture of the fur with a dry brush in the direction of the hair. At this scale the eyes are no more than a dark dot; any more definition looks unnatural. Finally even the surface out with a matte clear coat, as glossy fur gives the plastic away.

Who it is for

For the diorama builder who has the vehicles and figures finished and is looking for the last detail that brings a scene to life. It will also serve anyone who simply wants to add a small yard or street scene to the base under a single model. A base, groundwork, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.